Why USCIS RFEs Feel Arbitrary — and Why They’re Not

Ask ten applicants why they received a USCIS Request for Evidence (RFE), and you’ll hear the same reaction:

“It feels random.”

One case gets approved immediately.
Another — seemingly identical — receives a long RFE.
A third gets denied outright.

From the outside, USCIS decisions feel inconsistent, unpredictable, even arbitrary.

They aren’t.

This article explains why RFEs feel arbitrary to applicants, what actually drives USCIS RFE decisions behind the scenes, and how understanding these mechanics lets you respond strategically instead of emotionally.

The Illusion of Randomness in USCIS Decisions

USCIS does not issue RFEs randomly.

But applicants experience randomness because:

• They see only their own case

• They lack visibility into officer workflow

• They misunderstand decision triggers

Randomness is often pattern blindness, not chaos.

Why “Similar” Cases Are Rarely Similar

Applicants often say:

“My friend’s case was the same.”

It almost never is.

Cases differ in:

• Evidence quality

• Organization

• Prior filing history

• Officer assignment

• Timing and policy climate

Small differences matter more than applicants realize.

The Officer’s Risk-Based Decision Model

USCIS officers do not ask:

“Is this case good?”

They ask:

“Is it safe to approve this case right now?”

RFEs are issued when:

• Approval feels risky

• Evidence leaves doubt

• The record feels incomplete

RFEs reduce officer risk.

Why RFEs Are the Default “Safe” Option

From an officer’s perspective:

• Approval carries accountability

• Denial requires justification

• RFE preserves both options

When unsure, issuing an RFE is often the least risky procedural move.

This is not arbitrariness — it’s risk management.

How Officer Workload Influences RFEs

Officers manage:

• High caseloads

• Time constraints

• Performance metrics

RFEs:

• Buy time

• Clarify the record

• Shift burden back to the applicant

Cases that are unclear but potentially approvable often receive RFEs instead of denials.

Why Weak Organization Triggers RFEs

Even strong evidence can trigger an RFE if:

• It’s hard to find

• It’s poorly labeled

• The connection to requirements is unclear

Officers do not hunt for proof.

If approval requires extra effort, an RFE becomes likely.

The “Borderline Approval” Zone

Many RFEs are issued in the gray area where:

• Eligibility probably exists

• Proof is not decisive

• Doubt remains

RFEs are common in this zone.

They are not punishment — they are hesitation.

Why RFEs Cluster Around Certain Case Types

Some case types statistically receive more RFEs because they involve:

• Subjective standards

• Discretion

• Fact-intensive analysis

These include:

• Employment-based petitions

• Relationship-based filings

• Financial qualification cases

The more judgment involved, the more RFEs appear.

Why Policy Shifts Create RFE Spikes

USCIS policy changes:

• Increase scrutiny

• Change evidence expectations

• Reinterpret standards

During transitions, officers issue more RFEs to:

• Protect decisions

• Clarify evolving requirements

Applicants experience this as unpredictability.

It is institutional caution.

How Prior Filing History Affects RFE Likelihood

Cases with:

• Prior RFEs

• Prior denials

• Inconsistencies

Trigger higher scrutiny.

Officers often issue RFEs not because of current evidence alone — but because of history.

Why Some RFEs Feel Redundant

Applicants often think:

“I already sent this.”

Redundant RFEs happen when:

• Evidence was unclear

• The officer did not trust the source

• The record did not resolve doubt

Repetition signals skepticism, not confusion.

Why Timing Affects RFE Issuance

RFEs are more likely when:

• Case queues shift

• Officers inherit older files

• Processing priorities change

Timing influences caution.

This feels arbitrary — but it’s operational.

The Hidden Consistency in RFEs

Despite appearances, RFEs follow patterns:

• Unclear eligibility → RFE

• Marginal evidence → RFE

• Organizational confusion → RFE

• Credibility signals → RFE

Once you see the patterns, the randomness disappears.

Why Applicants Misattribute RFEs

Applicants often blame:

• Bad luck

• Bias

• Unfair officers

In reality, RFEs are usually triggered by:

• Ambiguity

• Incompleteness

• Risk

Understanding this shifts your strategy.

How RFEs Function as a Filtering Mechanism

RFEs separate applicants who:

• Can meet higher standards

• From those who cannot

They are a pressure test.

Those who respond strategically pass.
Those who respond emotionally often fail.

Why Two Officers Can Treat Similar Cases Differently

Discretion exists within rules.

One officer may:

• Approve borderline cases

Another may:

• RFE to reduce risk

Both actions are legally defensible.

This variance feels arbitrary — but it’s bounded.

What RFEs Reveal About Your Case

An RFE reveals:

• Where doubt exists

• What USCIS needs clarified

• Which standard you failed to meet

Viewed correctly, RFEs are diagnostic tools.

Why Fighting the RFE Premise Backfires

Applicants sometimes argue:

“This RFE makes no sense.”

USCIS does not reconsider the premise.

It evaluates whether you cured the deficiency.

Arguing fairness wastes the opportunity.

How to Respond Once You Accept RFEs Are Not Random

Once you accept that RFEs are:

• Risk-based

• Pattern-driven

• Predictable

You stop reacting emotionally and start responding strategically.

The Strategic Shift That Changes Outcomes

Instead of asking:

“Why did I get an RFE?”

Ask:

“What doubt is USCIS trying to eliminate?”

That question leads to effective responses.

Why Strong Cases Still Get RFEs

Strong cases still get RFEs because:

• Strength is not clarity

• Eligibility is not visibility

• Truth is not proof

USCIS needs clear, defensible proof.

How Successful Applicants Use RFEs to Win

They:

• Identify the risk signal

• Upgrade evidence

• Improve clarity

• Remove doubt

They treat RFEs as strategic checkpoints — not insults.

Turning Perceived Arbitrariness Into Control

Once you understand:

• Officer incentives

• Risk dynamics

• Decision patterns

RFEs stop feeling random.

They become navigable.

The Smart Next Step

If you want to stop guessing why RFEs happen — and start responding based on how USCIS actually decides cases:

👉 The USCIS RFE Response Guide explains the internal logic behind RFEs and shows you how to align your responses with officer decision-making — in over 60 pages of practical, real-world guidance.

Randomness disappears
when patterns are visible.

Final Thought

USCIS RFEs feel arbitrary only when you don’t see the system behind them.

Once you understand:

• What officers fear

• What they need to justify decisions

• How risk drives procedure

RFEs stop being mysterious —
and start becoming solvable.https://uscissrfehelpusa.com/uscis-rfe-guide